Carolina Dog vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison

The Carolina dog comes from wild dogs that used to run with the Paleo-Indians of North America, and today they can still be found in their wild state near the Georgia-South Carolina border.

Many scientists believe that the dog was first domesticated from the wolf thousands and thousands of years ago. Today there aren’t many records on the Carolina Dog’s history and it isn’t sure how long they lived their feral lifestyle in the American South, but it seems as though it was for hundreds of years.

You could say that the modern history of the Carolina Dog started in the 1980s. Dr. Pam Brisbin found a puppy at a dump site which looked like the Australian Dingo. Dr Brisbin and other scientists concluded that the Carolina Dog was a remnant of primitive dogs. Since those times the Carolina Dog has adapted well to being a domesticated pet.

The Braque Francais Gascognes and the Braque Francais Pyrenees are two alike dogs that are in reality separate breeds. The Pyrenees is not as rare as his larger brother, Gascognes. Around since the 15th century at least, not mush is really known about their origins. Because the Braque Francais was exported or taken to so many different countries in the 15th-18th centuries, a lot of information regarding the origins of the breeds were lost. There was a major study done in the 19th century that showed the two dogs came from very different blood lines. It is known that in this timeframe there was an acute need for a dog that was better than the current hunting breeds. This dog needed to be able to point, track, retrieve and flush.

With no authenticated story of origin, many myths have grown up in the vacuum. The most common belief is that the Chien d’Oysel, an ancient spaniel breed that was medium sized with brown or white fur and brown markings, is an ancestor of the Braque Francais and local hunting dogs. To make the Gascognes larger and stronger than the Pyrenees, local scent hounds were also crossed with these dogs. The Pyrenees does not have these scent hounds in their background.

Until the late 1800’s, there was only one type and one breed of Braque Francais. But when the breed was no longer the dogs of a nobility, the average hunter needed a smaller dog. Urbanization following the French Revolution added to this trend and the Pyrenees Mountain hunters crossed the Gascognes with smaller scent hounds and pointers. Thus, they created the Braque Francais Pyrenees and each dog became its own breed in 1920.

The Braque Francais breed club, including standards for both breeds was established in 1850 with the standards established in 1880. This acceptance was then followed by registration of both breeds in the International Kennel Club (FCI) and the French Kennel Club. Canada recognizes only the Gascoigne and the United Kennel Club (UKC) of the United States, recognized both. Neither breed has been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The Second World War was brutal to both types of the Braque Francais, but the Pyrenees have surpassed their sister breed and are the only one that has found its way to North America. The importers have started a breeding program in Canada. Later a few were imported to the States. There are currently at least four breeders in North America – 2 in the U.S. and 2 in Canada. It is thought that there are less than 200 Braque Francais Pyrenees living in North America.

The Carolina dog is part of the Sighthounds Group and looks a bit like a Dingo, German Shepherd and Wolf mix. He has fairly long, pointed erect ears, a sharp wolf-like snout and a long tail that curves when raised.

The Carolina dog has been re-discovered however and when trained and socialized, they make splendid pets. It’s a medium sized dog standing at 45–61cm and weighing from 15–20kg. He is slender, muscular and athletic with a coat that is short and fairly smooth. Colors for the Carolina dog vary and he can be fawn colored, a gingerish color, black and tan and can have some white areas on the paws, chest, muzzle and tail.

Temperament:

The Carolina Dog has been a wild dog, belonging to a pack and while he isn’t aggressive, he is nervous and aloof around strangers. Good training and socialization provides him with the skills to get along well with his human family as well as with children and other pets in the home.

Because this dog has always been wild, they tend to maintain some of their wild, independent nature and they can be difficult to train and it requires firmness and patience with him, but he is an intelligent breed.

The Braque Francais breeds are medium sized dogs with the Pyrenean standing 10 centimeters shorter than the Gascogne. They have a, white or chestnut brown coat with brown spots and a brown head. The Pyrenees has a head that is broader and ears that are not as long as the Gascogne. Their muzzle is narrower. He is strong, tall with hanging lips and square muzzles.

The Carolina Dog is a medium-sized dog which has managed to survive well in the wild environment. It is this life in the wilds which has made the dog to be shy and aloof around strangers.

They are skilled and intelligent and when domesticated they make extraordinary pets even though he isn’t an overly affectionate dog. It is why he requires early socialization so that he doesn’t grow up shunning humans.

With training however, the Carolina Dog becomes a well-adjusted, loving and social member of the family.

This is a sociable, lovable, friendly breed. They are gentle and docile dogs that want only to please you. They like children as well as adults and will never be a guard dog as they are friendly to strangers as well. The Braque Francais Pyrenees is affectionate while being highly skilled hunters. They are prone to severe separation anxiety if left alone for long. They might even have a tendency toward shyness.

The Carolina Dog is a fairly healthy breed. You won’t have to be rushing off to the vet often with him if you look after him well in terms of a good diet, a food amount of exercise and plenty of love and attention. In fact breeders of the Carolina Dog have noted that they haven’t seen any cases of genetically inheritable diseases with this robust dog.

However with all dogs, no matter how healthy they are, there can be problems. Problems common to domestic dogs can include skeletal and visual problems. Many dog owners have their pets tested to identify some of the potential health defects that some dogs are prone to. This can include hip dysplasia, cataracts, cancer and PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

The breed of Braque Francais in both its incarnations is generally a pretty healthy dog. They are prone to several issues including dysplasia of the elbow and hip, aortic stenosis, some eye issues and patellar luxation. The eye issues are around the lids and include ectropion and entropion along with cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). These issues are not avoidable, but the risk can be reduced even more by breeder testing of parents of any litter and then test the litter. Both the OFA and CERF should conduct tests for the dysplasia (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and eyes (Canine Eye Registration Foundation).

Grooming:

The Carolina Dog is a seasonal shedder and the shortish coat will simply require a thorough brushing twice a week to keep him in tip top condition.

This dog, with his upright ears, isn’t prone to ear infections as other breeds, but nonetheless as part of his grooming routine, its a good idea to to check his ears inside for wax build-up and dirt. Certainly his teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothbrush and toothpaste. This keeps the gums and teeth healthy and also avoids other diseases that come about because of dental disease.

Diet:

Whether you feed your Carolina Dog once or twice a day, you want to ensure the very best quality diet to avoid skin problems and illness. You also have to ensure your dog has 24/7 access to fresh, cool drinking water to help him with digesting his food.

There are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market which have been manufactured for certain stages of your dogs life. Add in some rice, vegetables and meat from time to time and every now and again you can give him some raw meat too.

Feeding

This breed need a high energy food including raw meat such as chicken, fish, and beef. If feeding kibble, they need about 2.5 cups per day.

Health issues

Prone to inflammation and infections of the ears as they are long and floppy. Clean them regularly. As previously mention eye disorders, joint dysplasia and bloat.

Exercise and games

The Braque Francais Pyrenees is a fairly versatile hunting dog. They can hunt on all types of terrain by trailing, flushing and retrieving. They are quick and move quickly without actually sprinting. This dog needs serious exercise every day. They will walk or jog with you. They will run along side your bike. Whatever you choose to do, do it for an hour a day. Don’t make couch potatoes out of this breed. It will not turn out well if you do. They need a place where they can play off leash as well, such as a large yard or a dog park.